BITTERSWEET

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Periwinkle flowers are derived from two genera in the apocynaceae family – the vinca, better known as the common periwinkle, and catharanthus, often called the Madagascar periwinkle. They are both relatively small species – the Madagascar variety numbering around eight, while the vinca hosts a meager five species to its name – and are strikingly similar in many ways. For instance, both have petite, five-petaled blossoms; long growing stems which can range between 3 to 30 inches above ground; and both types have glossy, bright green foliage. The Madagascar periwinkle is native to areas of southern Asia, while vinca is indigenous to Europe, Asia and Africa. The hues of these flowers can range from white and violet, to rose, pink and red.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Blended with just the right amount of zip to titillate your palate,excitingly rich and full of flavour that builds in your mouth. Guaranteed to thrill. It's been a very popular and successful flavour since its introduction in Spring 2012 after several experiments and combinations.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

This church is
dedicated to St. Diogo, Patron of Guirim and Sangolda villages, facing true
East. This magnificent church was constructed in 1604 A.D. and is the 13th of
the 24 Churches erected in the Bardez taluka.

The distinctive
features of this church are many. The main altar is dedicated to the patron St.
Diogo and on either side is St. Anthony of Padua and St. Francis of Assisi.
There are 5 other ornate altars located
in the nave. The altar on the left hand side is dedicated to infant
Jesus and on the right is dedicated to Our Lady of Rosary.

There are three bells
to this church, two belong to Sangolda and one to Guirim. Three arched doors
lead into the church, while a smaller arched door leads to the sacristy. There
is also a side entrance on the Guirim side.

There are many
stories about this church and the people of the two villages. This one is of
the 3 bells. As the church is shared between 2 villages, legend has it that the
elders decided that the villagers who install the bell will claim the rights.
When they were working on the church it was very late and it was decided that
they sleep it over and start the work on the bells next day. The Guirim
villagers went home but the cunning Sangolda villagers worked through the night
and installed 2 of the 3 bells and rang them aloud waking both the villages.
Hence Sangolda claims 2 Bells of the church.

Among many other
feuds and legends, one particular anecdote comes to mind which is a classic. An
old woman from Guirim was on her death-bed, when a young neighbour whispered
into her ear: "Ague, Jesu pau munn gue", ('Call out to Jesus")
but to everyone's surprise, the dying woman is said to have opened her eyes
saying "Jesu amcho nhuim, Jezu tancho, Ruzai Saibinn amchi. Aum Saibinn
maim pav munttelim," (Jesus is not ours, Jesus is theirs; Our Lady of the
Rosary is ours, so I will say 'Mother Mary come to me') and saying those words
she breathed her last.

That explains the left side altar being dedicated to
Infant Jesus (Sangolda side - South) while Our Lady of the Rosary is on the
right (Guirim side - North).

In a classic traditional layout of most churches, this church is no different. Typically, attached on the left is the sacristy, the vestry, a garden, surrounded by offices of the Parish, the Vicar's living quarters, kitchen and a well. Located on the right is the side entrance to the church like many other churches in Goa. Also located on the side is the cemetery with the timeless phrase on the arched transom of the doorway that reads in Kokani 'Aiz Maka, Faleam Tuka' (lit.trans: Today for me, tomorrow for You).Facing the church is the Cross that stands in monumental white-washed glory, surrounded by a compound wall around with access to the church from four sides: from the back, from the Guirim side, from Sangolda side and from the front with steps that lead to the road through the vast fields to the east with a magnificent view of the hills of Sucorro and Porvorim.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Cashew(Anacardiumoccidentale L.) was introduced in Goa by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Originally cultivated mainly to control soil erosion and to use in afforestation programmes, it has now become an important cash crop of Goa. Goa has more land under cashew than any other state.

This fruit is unique in the way that it has its nuts hanging on the outside!

Caju Fenny or Fenni is a world-famous GoanSpirit made from the juice of the cashew apple. Juice derived from the ripe cashew makes an excellent and refreshing drink. Goa has registered for a geographical indicator that would allow it to claim the sole right to term drink created in the region as fenny or 'Goan Cashew Feni'.The apples are picked and then crushed and fermented and then distilled to produce "urrack" which is the first distillate and less harsh on the palate and thereafter equal portions of the urrack and fresh ferment are distilled again to give you Fenni.

The seeds of cashews make a delicious snack containing healthy mono-unsaturated fats, magnesium and copper. It is also believed that eating the seeds can help prevent heart disease, promote strong bones, and give you energy.

In cooking cashew seeds can be added to any dish. It is a great way to add taste and important nutrients to your diet. Some fine examples are Cashew Chick and Cashew Shrimp, with a huge variety of other cashew recipes and desserts like Cashew Brittle, Cashew Crunch and Cashew Turtles.

Processed cashew nuts, dried or toasted, separated from its outer shell, have been a prized and a very dear commodity - sold in small packets and bought by native visitors and foreign tourists, not as a keep-sake memento, but as an obligatory gift to a family member or friend, to be enjoyed preferably over a conversation, combined with a drink or two.

The kernel removed from cashew seeds in their raw state are known as 'fokam' and are available in limited quantities during the peak harvest season in the local markets in the month of April and May.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Keri (also known as Querim) is a quiet place situated in the northernmost region of Goa. The serene, calm and beautiful white sandy beach is one of the lesser-crowded beaches of Goa, ideal for a day out.

The ancient Tiracol Fort provides a panoramic view across the mouth of the Tiracol estuary.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

The green color and the shamrock representsand symbolizes Irish Christianity.It is the national colour of Ireland andeverything goes green on St. Patrick's Day.St. Patrick is believed to have used the shamrockin teaching the Irish about the Holy Trinity.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Goa Chitra is a museum based in the former Portuguese colony (and now India's smallest state) of Goa. It has a large collection -- over 4000 artefacts -- focusing on Goa's traditional agrarian technology and lifestyle.

Goa Chitra is based in the coastal Goan village of Benaulim. It was founded and is run by the artist-curator-restorer Victor-Hugo Gomes. The museum has been described as one of Goa's most charming attractions. This little rural complex houses a huge collection of horse and bullock-drawn carriages and thousands of traditional implements, vessels and tools that evolved over centuries in the agrarian heartland of Goa in the service of farming and other traditional trades.

Goa Chitra's collection includes examples of local pottery, farming tools, musical instruments, ancient carts and palanquins -- from different points of the past. It also showcases an organic farm for the cultivation of various vegetables, herbs, spices, sugarcane, and rice -- all staples of the area in coastal western India

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

It is a special time for usas you bring great joy to us this day,And it also means a lotto those who love you, too ~So, along with lots of love and prideon this very special day,Comes a wish that you’ll be blessedin a very special way.